If one were optimistic, they'd look at the third alternator in 256,000 miles and 19 years and say, "wow, 123,000 miles per alternator, not bad!" or "wow, 9.5 years per alternator, not bad!" The sad truth is I got 252,000 miles and 19 years on the first alternator and 4000 miles and 6 months on the second.
Regardless, it's in. I may have tweaked my back. Tomorrow and the weekend will tell. I did snap a bolt on re-assembly,* and let out an "ahhhh, shit" worthy of Grandpa Toadroller.** All told, four hours of labor and a quart of lost antifreeze later, she's back where she was a week ago. She does great shifting gears! It's still risky to take her out of state, but I'm stupid that way. I'll keep her local until she proves seaworthy.
Oh, and I just remembered which bolt I didn't tighten. Dang it. I think I should be able to drive her up on the ramps and get to it without too much disassembly to access the guilty bolt.
Is it time, is it a hobby, or is it a lifetime car?
* Because I just knew I was going to snap it but didn't stop.
**You've been given a title! It was one of those moments when you hear your father's voice in your own.
No comments:
Post a Comment